These “Cheesy” Chipotle Nachos Are Actually Dairy-Free

This vegan cheese sauce has fab flavor, without the cholesterol.

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If the term “healthy nachos” makes you think of a glorified, cheese-less salad with two meager chips on top, this recipe from Charles Chen might just blow your mind. The secret? A chipotle cheese sauce that’s reminiscent of ballpark nachos—but it’s made entirely from veggies, nuts, and chipotle seasonings. Say what?

Chen is a chef, entrepreneur, and vivacious host of the online cooking show Kitchen Hustle, where “hustlers learn how to fuel their passions.” Throughout his childhood, Chen struggled with his health. As a teenager, he was prediabetic and a self-proclaimed couch potato who had no energy or motivation to make healthier choices. After hitting what he calls his “rock bottom moment,” he reclaimed his health, lost more than 100 pounds, and now helps others fuel their “bodies, mind, and spirit starting in the kitchen.”

Even if you’re not vegan, here’s why you should try Chen’s dairy-free take on these party-perfect nachos. You know a creamy, melty cheese sauce is crucial for nachos that nobody can resist, but that cheese comes at a cost. Cheese and other dairy products are high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Canned nacho cheese come with a ton of sodium and a long list of unpronounceable additives to keep it shelf-stable. And you know it’s hard to control your portion, so you might end up consuming a total calorie bomb without even realizing it.

You won’t find any of that in this chipotle cheese sauce. Chen works some #veganmagic and creates a creamy, flavorful sauce with potatoes, carrots, and cashews, so your nachos get that oh-so-important cheese texture and flavor but with the added benefits of potassium, fiber, vitamin A, healthy fats, and more.

Bring these vegan nachos to your next party and don’t say a word. Your guests may not even notice it’s totally dairy-free.